Still time to grill? Try these fruits and veggies for something different and fun

Labor Day Weekend is the traditional end for the outdoor grilling season, at least in northern climes such as Chicago where I live. But there will still be days when it’s warm enough to go out and fire up your grill, or grills (I have four!). Here’s a new take on grilling, ever think about fruits and veggies on the grill?

Cooking Light magazine has, apparently, in this piece on 10 fruits and veggies to grill (everything is a list these days, so they had to find 10 I’m sure).

Some of these, like watermelon, onions, eggplant and pineapple, I’ve heard of grilling before, but some, like apples and peaches really surprised me.

I’m guessing the key here is to find items with sugar content the flavor of which will be brought out by grilling.

Take a look, it’s a video, so you have to endure a commercial, but after that it moves fairly quickly.

And keep those grills fired up into fall, I know people who do their Thanksgiving turkeys outdoors in cold climates, that is hardcore grilling.

John

September 4, 2017 0

Salmon so simple anyone can make it

My lemon salmon. I used leek instead of scallions and it came great. I loved the garlic flavor.

Some people shy away from cooking fish at home because they think it too complicated. But eating fish at restaurants often means getting more salt and fat added than you want or need. So check my recipe page for a variety of fish recipes I think you can handle. Or start with this simple yet tasty way to make salmon at home.

Salmon is a great fatty fish, with what’s being called good fat these days, so enjoy it in place of steak or other meats you once ate but are giving up now because of “bad” fat concerns. Continue reading “Salmon so simple anyone can make it” →

August 8, 2017 0

No-salt, no-fat kebobs for July 4th — here’s loads to try

Fourth of July is normally outdoor grilling time for many, many Americans. But if you’re on a low-salt, low-fat or low-sugar diet, grilling traditional hot dogs, brats and ribs doesn’t work for you. You need to get more creative.

Chicago recipes: Lemon-Herb Chicken Brochettes With BLueberry-Balsamic Salsa; Jason Varney: Photographer; Marian Cooper Cairns: Food Stylist; Claire Spollen: Prop Stylist — Chicago recipes: Lemon-Herb Chicken Brochettes With Blueberry-Balsamic Salsa

Cooking Light recently had a piece, 14 Kebab Recipes To Grill This Summer that’s a good place to start for ideas. Some of the beef varieties or the one including salt prosciutto won’t work, but other can be modified to fit your needs while still remaining tasty fourth treats. Continue reading “No-salt, no-fat kebobs for July 4th — here’s loads to try” →

June 30, 2017 0

Here’s a salt-free lemon-herb marinade to try

I’m always looking for new ways to make white meat chicken tastier. I most often use Mrs Dash salt-Free marinades, but am willing to make my own marinades as well when I find easy recipes for them.

I came across this one recently from citrus supplier Sunkist. I saw it in a magazine ad but also found it online. Obviously you don’t need to sue the Sunkist-branded products listed, generic substitutes are fine (sorry Sunkist) but props to Sunkist for putting this recipe out there.

The ingredients, as listed on the Sunkist site:

1/4 cup freshly squeezed Sunkist lemon juice
Zest from Sunkist lemon
6 tablespoons olive oil 1 tablespoon
minced fresh garlic
3 tablespoons minced fresh thyme
3 tablespoons minced fresh chives
2 tablespoons minced fresh basil or rosemary Continue reading “Here’s a salt-free lemon-herb marinade to try” →

June 8, 2017 1

A salt-free summer side dish: skewered lemon-rosemary cherry tomatoes

Grilling season is upon us, so I’ve been looking for more fun outdoor recipes. I came across this one for skewered lemon-rosemary cherry tomatoes in the Costco Connections magazine, but have found it on numerous sites as well.

You may be growing several of the needed ingredients in your backyard garden, which would make this all the tastier. Continue reading “A salt-free summer side dish: skewered lemon-rosemary cherry tomatoes” →

June 7, 2017 1

A year of no salt, no sugar, no fat recipes just for you

Our no salt, no fat, no sugar recipe page is by far the most popular items on our blog. People who search for no salt, no sugar recipes (fat doesn’t seem as important for many given all the recent debates on good and bad fat), find us as the No. 2 unpaid search result!

One of our many no salt, no sugar recipes. We cut the salt and sugar to a minimum, along with the fat.

So, in the interest of giving everyone more of what they want, we just added a year’s worth of recipes to our no salt, no fat, no sugar recipe page. We’ve also segmented the page so you can zero in our poultry recipes, seafood recipes and vegetarian options.

And then scroll down to our side dishes and special holiday meals. Continue reading “A year of no salt, no sugar, no fat recipes just for you” →

May 2, 2017 0

A No-salt Easter Entrée – Couscous-stuffed chicken

Easter is normally a time to make ham (loaded with salt) or lamb (loaded with fat), so what about an alternative that is low-salt, low-fat and will still wow your guests? Try this recipe for Couscous-stuffed chicken I found on Cooking Light.

I’ve complained about only eating low-fat white meat on chicken since my 2012 angioplasty. So I am continually searching for tasty recipes for it. Check my recipe page for more. Continue reading “A No-salt Easter Entrée – Couscous-stuffed chicken” →

April 13, 2017 1

A no-salt Easter side dish — asparagus with balsamic tomoatoes

Easter is almost upon us, so you’re likely looking for some no-salt, no-sugar, no-fat recipes to put on your holiday table. We’ve written about Easter dinner before, simply click here to see that lineup. And here’s another dish we just came across, asparagus with balsamic tomatoes, courtesy of Cooking Light and Myrecipes.com

The ingredient list is fairly basic, leave out the salt though (as usual): Continue reading “A no-salt Easter side dish — asparagus with balsamic tomoatoes” →

April 4, 2017 3

5 low-sodium meals to consider

Salt has become my sworn enemy because of its impact on my weight and blood pressure, so I’ve been working hard to redo recipes to get the salt out since my 2012 angioplasty. Check my recipe page for some great recipes that have a minimum of salt.

Recently, I saw this headline, 5 Low-Sodium Meals That Won’t Make You Reach for the Salt Shaker and was intrigued, so I check it out on Cafemom.com.

At least two of these actually sound good to me and don;t seem to compensate for the lack of salt by adding fat and/or sugar. I’d try the Alaskan BBQ Salmon and the Mini Turkey Meatballs. Salmon and ground turkey are two of my go-to proteins these days. I would cut the sugar in the salmon however, honey and sugar seem like too much sweetness and too much sugar. Or use a low-sugar, low-salt barbecue sauce like LocalFolks.

The link to the turkey meatballs isn’t working so I can’t examine the ingredients list, but I like the concept. Try adding Italian seasoning and some low-fat parmesan cheese for flavor.

I’d try the Penne With Cherry Tomatoes, Asparagus, and Goat Cheese but would substitute fat-free feta instead of the goat cheese.

John

February 21, 2017 1

Low-salt, Low-fat recipes for Super Bowl

The Big Game is almost upon us, that day when everyone else is eating fried, greasy, salty, fatty snacks. But if you’re on a low-salt, low-fat, low-sugar diet as I am, my first suggestion would be you host the party so you can control the menu.

These mini cups are low in fat and salt and sugar-free. Fill them with salt-free treats for Super Bowl munching.

If that’s not possible, bring your own food along. Pack up everything from salt-free potato chips to a main dish like swordfish steak.

I’ve written extensively on low-salt, low-fat, low-sugar items you can create for the game, here’s a quick rundown: Continue reading “Low-salt, Low-fat recipes for Super Bowl” →

February 3, 2017 1

Category: recipes